Sustainable Development Seminar

Instructor

Atul Wad

The concept of “Sustainability” is emerging as a driving force in the spheres of business , socio-economic development and the environment. Growing concerns over the disparities in income, the need for new business models, and environmental consequences of business activity are producing a re-thinking of traditional approaches to business and policy.
The need for sustainable approaches at all levels is particularly pressing in emerging markets. Though many such countries have demonstrated significant economic growth in the past two decades (e.g. China, India), socio-economic disparities and environmental issues are major concerns.
Technology and innovation is central to the development of models, strategies and solution based upon the principles of sustainability. Advances in many new technological fields (nanotechnology, green chemistry, diagnostics etc.) offer solutions to many of the problems faced by emerging markets. To design and implement sustainability strategies requires basing them upon such solutions and the processes of innovation as they are manifested in emerging markets. Policy level analysis also needs to be informed by these principles in order to create supportive environments for the actors, private and public, attempting to develop and adopt sustainable strategies and practices.
The course is an introduction to the fundamental and evolving principles and conceptual bases of sustainability and their implications for emerging markets. It will review the historical evolution of the concept, the various manifestations that it has gone through over time, and the major current issues of debate in this field. The course will also cover the various theoretical perspectives on the innovation process that have been developed from economics, management strategy, organizational behavior and other disciplines. The specific characteristics of the innovation process in emerging markets will be covered, specifically in terms of how they relate to the adoption of technological solutions to achieve sustainability objectives. Major barriers to sustainable innovation emerging markets will be reviewed. Finally, the implications for policy analysis will be covered.

Format & Grading

Format:
Classes will be conducted as lectures based upon readings and in-depth interactive discussions. The focus will be on understanding the practical implications for sustainable innovation in emerging markets. Students will be organized in groups after the first two introductory lectures to work on a specific project.

Grading:
1. Attendance and class participation
2. Short individual conceptual paper on a specific topic discussed with each student
3. Group projects